Thursday, January 14, 2010

Michele Larsen hit the diamond mine… literally. The Orlando mom is the official winner of the precious gemstone that was hidden in an essie nail polish as part of the Essie Loves Diamonds by Judith Ripka collection – a limited-edition collection of 3 nail colors infused with genuine diamond dust.

Larsen, who had not had a manicure in 15 months, was thrilled to be the winner. “I was getting a manicure and pedicure at the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – my first mani-pedi since having my twins – I finally got a couple of hours to pamper myself,” says an enthusiastic Larsen. “I was completely surprised and so excited when I saw that there was a diamond in my polish, I couldn't believe I actually won – I loved the color and was excited about the diamond dust that is infused in it!”

While at the spa, Larsen purchased the essie nail polish color to use for her manicure and pedicure. That polish was the only one in the exclusive limited-edition collection distributed worldwide that held the hidden diamond.

Now this polish has become a life-long gift for mom and daughter. What will Larsen do with her newfound diamond? “I will probably put the diamond in a setting for my little girl.”

“The joy and happiness that women feel from getting a mani-pedi is so wonderful and that is why we created these colors and this chance to win… we wanted to add something even more special for one woman,” says Essie Weingarten, founder and president of Essie Cosmetics, Ltd. “We are thrilled that such an amazing woman and mother found the diamond and we are so happy for her.”

Whoa, awesome!!! I had a mani/pedi at that spa when I visited Disney on my Honeymoon, and they give you a bottle of the color they use (I guess they figure it into the cost of the mani, but I didn't realize in advance that I would get to keep it so I was thrilled!) -- that's so cool that she ended up with it on vacation like that! How magical!